This opportunity is for second and third-year undergraduate students, graduate students and recent graduates with or working towards a degree in science, IT, and engineering.
The ITRI internship attracts interns from top universities from around the world and is designed to provide you with experience working in an R&D environment in Asia.
The successful applicants will be placed in ITRI's TUSA office in Taipei. They will join a team engaged in seeking technology and business collaboration opportunities between ITRI, Taiwanese firms, and their US counterparts.
The purpose of the internship programme is to provide New Zealand tertiary students with an experience of working in a business environment in Asia in order to gain a better understanding of the people, places and culture of the host country.
The 2024 application round has closed
Information on the 2025 application round will be made available mid-2025.
About ITRI and TUSA
ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) is a world-class applied technology research organisation with the mission to drive industrial development, create economic value, and enhance social well-being through technology R&D.
Since its founding in 1973, ITRI has been a catalyst behind Taiwan's transformation into a leader in many high-tech fields including semiconductors, and incubated hundreds of new technology enterprises while delivering R&D results to industry.
ITRI works wide variety of areas such as generative AI, computer vision, image processing, robotics, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and more.
TUSA (Taiwan-USA Industrial Cooperation Promotion Office, MOEA)
TUSA (Taiwan-USA Industrial Cooperation Promotion Office, MOEA) fosters cooperation between US organisations and Taiwanese firms in industrial technology R&D and commercialization.
Within ITRI, TUSA is under the Industry Science and Technology Strategy Centre (ISTI). It is one of many offices that ITRI works through to build bridges between Taiwan's technology industry and the world.
What you'll do
The intern will be supported to participate in projects doing research on specific industries (such as biomedical, renewable energy, AI, EVs semiconductors, robotics), and/or on developing business relations with specific regions.
Daily work activities will include doing research on specific technologies or market segments and presentation of findings, arranging international exchanges or welcoming visitors to Taiwan.
Depending on the department, internships will be either at ITRI's Hsinchu Campus or Taipei office.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- New Zealand citizens or have New Zealand permanent resident status
- due to complete at least two years of tertiary study by November 2024
- adaptable, mature, reliable and resilient
- able to demonstrate a strong interest in developing a career involving New Zealand and the Asian region
Knowledge of Mandarin, while useful, is not a prerequisite for this internship as English is widely spoken at ITRI.
The recruitment process is managed by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Who we're looking for
This internship is suitable for students majoring in:
- computer science
- information engineering
- electrical engineering
- mechanical engineering.
Applicants working in a related field and with background or interest in AI, machine learning, deep learning, or data science will also be considered.
What's covered
The Asia New Zealand Foundation covers return airfares provides a stipend to cover living expenses in Taiwan.
Interns stay in dormitories on the ITRI campus which offers a variety of dining and recreational facilities. ITRI provides the accommodation free of charge and access to a subsidised dining hall.
Interns will need to contribute around NZ$500 of their own funds to cover expenses and will need to take out appropriate travel insurance (subsidised by the Foundation).
Interns at ITRI Taipei offices will be assisted to find accommodation and those interning at the Hsinchu can be provided free dorm accommodation.
Terms and conditions
Interns are expected participate in Foundation professional development activities and networking events after they return and seek opportunities to share their internship experience. Sharing your experience with others is an important part of this initiative as it enlightens others about the Foundation, the internship programme and developments in Asia.
Successful applicants will be required to agree to the standard Terms and Conditions for Asia New Zealand Foundation funding recipients.
Reporting requirements
Foundation interns are expected to write a 600-word article (with accompanying photos) on their internship that will appear on the Foundation’s website (to be submitted during the internship) and write a final three-page report evaluating the internship experience at the end of the programme.
How to apply
The 2024 application round has closed.
Information on the 2025 application round will be made available mid-2025.
Key Dates
- Applications closed
- Shortlisted applicants will be notified by mid-July.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an in-person or online panel interview to select the successful candidate.
- The successful candidate will be advised by late July.
- All selected interns will be supported to attend a group induction day in Auckland in late November 2024.
- The internship will take place over three months between late November 2024 and February/March, 2025.
Questions
If you have a question about the internships, please first check our 'What you need to know' page.
If your question is not answered there, email the Foundation’s project officer (internships) Joyce Bonde: jbonde@asianz.org.nz.